All-attitude fuze



Nov. 5, 1968 H. M. SUMRALL ALL-ATTITUDE FUZE Filed June 20, 1967 INVENTOR. HOWELL M. SUMRALL ROY MILLER ATTORNEY.

United States Patent 3,408,936 ALL-ATTITUDE FUZE Howell M. Sumrall, 420 Lenore SL, Ridgecrest, Calif. 93555 Filed June 20, 1967, Ser. No. 648,192 3 Claims. (Cl. 10270) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An all-attitude sensitive fuze which comprises a spherical hollow housing adapted to contain mercury and provided with an axial bore extending about midway having a firing pin slidably positioned therein. Movement increases the pressure of the mercury within the housing which actuates the firing pin moving it forward into stab position of a primer or detonator.

The present invention relates to an all attitude fuze.

Heretofore various fuzes have been evolved. Most have generally been limited in overall usage often because of the size and configuration. Fuzes are commonly mechanical devices that employ escapement members and various other mechanical elements for actuation. Many are complex and cumbersome to install, This invention is a compact, miniature fuze which is simple to manufacture and easy to operate.

In accordance with the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a miniature fuze which is equally sensitive in all modes.

Another object is to provide a fuze which is simple and easy to manufacture for use in all types of munitions.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become apparent as the same become better understood from the following detailed description in conjunction with the annexed drawings wherein:

The single figure is a longitudinal sectional view of the invention.

Referring now to the drawing the all-attitude fuze, designated generally by numeral comprises a spherical hollow housing or shell 11 provided with an axial bore or recess 12 of varying dimensions extending about halfway into said housing. Bore 12 is provided at its aft end with a port 21. Slidably positioned within said bore 12 is a firing pin 13 provided with a flanged head 17 which is positioned adjacent port 21 and having the usual conical point 14 for cooperation with a primer or detonator 15 as shown. To keep the firing pin 13 in position within the bore or recess 12 a helical spring 16 is mounted between the point 14 and the flanged head 17 of said pin. Housing 11 is composed of steel as are walls 20 which form bore 12. Shell 11 is lined with gold 18 and is adapted to contain mercury 19 which is a substantially incompressible liquid. Mercury is not compatible with all metals, therefore a flash lining with gold with which mercury is compatible solved the problem. Mercury was used in the present fuze because it was determined that it provided the maximum impulse with the minimum volume, and it is liquid under normal conditions. Spring 16 may vary in strength and rate thereby influencing the movement of the pin.

In operation fuze 10 takes advantage of the fact that inertia effectively increases the pressure within a liquid due to the effect of the reflected column. From this it can be seen that movement of the housing or shell 11 will create suflicient pressure within the mercury 19 to push against the head 17 of pin 13 thereby moving said pin 13 outward so that it will be in position to strike or stab primer or detonator 15.

Safety may be attained by a positive latch on the firing pin or an out-of-line primer. Sensitivity can be varied by spring rate, port size, selection of fluid, or physical dimen sions. Other suitable materials may be used for the shell or housing, which are compatible with the liquid used therein.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

1. An all-attitude sensitive fuze comprising:

a spherical housing having an axial bore of predetermined dimensions extending about midway therein, and adapted to contain a substantially incompressible liquid;

a firing pin having a flanged head slidably positioned within said bore and adapted to have forward movement from the pressure of said liquid upon the head of said pin created when said housing is moved in any direction thereby moving said pin into stab position.

2. The fuze of claim 1 wherein the liquid is mercury.

3. The fuze of claim 2 wherein the housing is composed of steel lined with gold.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,781,556 11/1930 Remondy 102-73 2,737,892 3/1956 Dalton et al. 102-81 BENJAMIN A. BORCHELT, Primary Examiner. G. H. GLANZMAN, Assistant Examiner. 

